PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Chrysler Town and Country brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 42,469 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Town and Country | 39 |
| 2012 Town and Country (this page) | 12 |
| 2013 Town and Country | 12 |
| 2014 Town and Country | 14 |
| 2015 Town and Country | 4 |
| 2016 Town and Country | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 12 brakes complaints filed for the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CHRYSLER/DODGE: WHEN BRAKING, STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE, BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES AND/OR FLOOR PAN VIBRATES AND NEED TO REPLACE, BOTH, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BRAKE LININGS AND RESURFACING, AND INSTALL NEW RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. MODEL 2011-2012 CARAVAN, TOWN AND COUNTRY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The customer may experience when using the Navigation system, it shows their vehicle in the wrong location. This is caused by the GPS system locking in on 3 or less satellites, which is due to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) blocking the satellite signals. Also the Navigation system is not getting the proper distance traveled from the ABS module. The system needs to have a lock on 4 or more satellites, to function properly. Replacing the radio will correct this condition. The Navigation system needs proper distance traveled to calculate vehicle location when the satellite signals are blocked by mountains or large buildings. Updating the ABS module will correct this conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The customer may experience when using the Navigation system, it shows their vehicle in the wrong location. This is caused by the GPS system locking in on 3 or less satellites, which is due to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) blocking the satellite signals. Also the Navigation system is not getting the proper distance traveled from the ABS module. The system needs to have a lock on 4 or more satellites, to function properly. Replacing the radio will correct this condition. The Navigation system needs proper distance traveled to calculate vehicle location when the satellite signals are blocked by mountains or large buildings. Updating the ABS module will correct this conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report premature brake wear and failure across this model. Rotor problems appear early—one owner needed service at just 20,087 miles—and recur frequently: rotors warp, require resurfacing, then fail again within months. Rear calipers are a persistent weak point. Multiple owners had them replaced multiple times: one replaced calipers twice in back-to-back years (2021, 2022), another at 35,000 miles despite highway-only use. When calipers stick or fail, pads wear unevenly or go metal-to-metal, and owners report burning smells and high repair costs.
Low-speed stopping power is also cited: one owner reported the van simply would not stop at an intersection at 22,000 miles. Another experienced brake shudder and shake after recent service, with the dealer refusing to cover the repair under a service bulletin that allegedly addressed the issue.
One owner's LED brake lights failed and cannot be replaced without major disassembly—a safety concern when braking. Chrysler has declined warranty coverage on some repairs, attributing them to driving habits or citing exclusions even when service bulletins exist. Parts wear out far faster than expected: one owner, comparing to an 11-year-old Tahoe with only two brake replacements, called the durability "garbage."
Same Chrysler Town and Country brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Rotor warping and premature wear
Front and rear rotors warp or wear out of round, causing vibration and roaring sounds during braking. Owners report repeated rotor failures requiring resurfacing or replacement within months of prior service. Some incidents occur as early as 20,000 miles total mileage.
When: 20,087 miles; 65,571 miles and 67,283 miles; recurring within 3-4 month intervals
Symptoms owners cite: heavy vibration when braking from highway speeds; roaring sound during braking; rotors out-of-round; squeaking noises
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor resurfacing and replacement; some dealers charged owners for parts despite labor being covered
Rear brake caliper failure and sticking
Rear brake calipers fail prematurely, lock up rotors, leak brake fluid, or stick causing pads to wear unevenly and burn. Multiple owners report needing new calipers well before normal service life, with one owner replacing them twice in consecutive years (2021 and 2022).
When: 35,000 miles; 126,000 miles; recurring in 2021 and 2022
Symptoms owners cite: rear calipers leaking brake fluid; rear calipers sticking; burning smell from brakes; rear pads wearing prematurely or metal-to-metal; rotor lockup
Repairs/costs cited: New calipers, pads, and rotors; owners report high parts costs and replacement of up to 5 sets of pads
Brake squishing sound with ABS and traction control warnings
Squishing sound heard when depressing brake pedal at low speeds accompanied by illuminated ABS and traction control warning lights. Mechanic found rodents had eaten brake booster wire and battery terminal was loosened.
When: 126,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: squishing sound when braking at 10-25 mph; ABS warning light illuminated; traction control warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Battery terminal tightened, brake booster wire repaired, repair cost not covered under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repairs determined to not be covered under warranty
Brake burning smell and loss of stopping power
Brakes emit burning smell and vehicle loses stopping ability at low mileage. Owner reported having to stop at an intersection and the vehicle simply would not stop. Manufacturer blamed driving habits and refused warranty coverage.
When: 22,000 total miles (17,000 miles after purchase of demo car)
Symptoms owners cite: burning smell from brakes; loss of stopping power; inability to stop vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: No manufacturer warranty repair provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated issue was due to driving habits and did not take responsibility
Brake shudder and shake during braking
Vehicle shudders and shakes when braking. Occurs after recent engine service and dealer repair did not fall under service bulletin coverage.
When: After engine service completed December 14, 2015
Symptoms owners cite: shudder and shake when braking
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated repair did not fall under service bulletin; owner disputes and cites TSB regarding front rotor and pads
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin available but dealer did not apply it to repair
LED brake light failure
Driver-side brake lights failed. These are LED lights designed to last the vehicle's life but cannot be replaced like standard bulbs, creating a safety hazard.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: brake lights failed; unable to replace LED lights
Repairs/costs cited: LED brake lights cannot be user-replaced
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The brake lights on the drivers side failed. These lights are LED lights and meant to last the life of the vehicle. They cannot be changed like a standard brake light. This is a safety hazard when stopping or driving at night. *tr
Had brakes trouble with your 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 18,000 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 42,469. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 65,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chrysler/Town and Country.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.